<![CDATA[PREP FOR ART

<![CDATA[PREP FOR ART - PFA News]]>Mon, 18 May 2026 09:35:53 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Art College Roadmap - Summer Edition, a Workshop for Arts Minded High School Students, Parents and Counselors.]]>Wed, 11 Feb 2015 22:08:49 GMThttps://www.prepforart.com/pfa-news/art-college-roadmap-summer-edition-a-workshop-for-arts-minded-high-school-students-parents-and-counselors

It's time to map out summer 2015 to ensure plenty of art-making, and to jump start the art portfolio for college admissions. On Wednesday evening, February 18th, Linda Pollack presents "Art College Roadmap - Summer Edition" at Pacific Palisades Library. The evening will help students and parents plan for summer and beyond, looking at options including summer art programs, self initiated projects, art viewing and interpretation. The evening will introduce an "art college timeline", with events such as National Portfolio Day, art documentation how to's, and application deadlines. The evening will also explore CSSSA, the California State Summer School for the Arts held annually at Cal Arts, with its upcoming February 28th application deadline.
Art College Roadmap - Summer Edition
Wednesday, February 18th, 6 - 7:30 PM
Pacific Palisades Library
861 Alma Real Drive
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Free and open to the public. For more information contact: info@prepforart.com

]]><![CDATA[National Portfolio Day @ Calarts. October 11th. Need we say more?]]>Sat, 30 Aug 2014 21:01:24 GMThttps://www.prepforart.com/pfa-news/national-portfolio-day-calarts-october-11th-need-we-say-moreNational Portfolio Day is an event specifically for visual artists and designers. It is an opportunity for those who wish to pursue an education in the visual and related arts to meet with representatives from colleges accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Representatives will be available to review your artwork, discuss their programs and answer questions about professional careers in art. High school students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors and college transfer students are encouraged to attend.

]]><![CDATA[Time to Start Planning the Art School Portfolio!]]>Tue, 12 Aug 2014 20:58:18 GMThttps://www.prepforart.com/pfa-news/time-to-start-planning-the-art-school-portfolioImage: Prep for Art portfolio workshop with Montebello High School, Downtown Los Angeles.

]]><![CDATA[Prep for Art hosts Creative Students_101]]>Wed, 09 Apr 2014 20:24:38 GMThttps://www.prepforart.com/pfa-news/prep-for-art-launches-creative-students_101

Summer programs, internships, portfolio intensives, summer jobs, mentorship programs, unstructured time to creating new work...How can a student with a creative practice take advantage of the approaching summer vacation to its fullest? How can students get a head start on their portfolio, so as not to overwhelmed come Fall?

You are invited to join in the first of a weekly Creative Student_101 conference calls to address this very issue. With upcoming deadlines for a number of summer art programs, we are jumpstarting our first check in for this Friday April 11, from 8:30 - 9:00 AM PST. We invite you to join in on this conference call, whether you are calling in from the West Coast, the East Coast, or abroad.

Please email: info@prepforart.com to register.

]]><![CDATA[Why my family is opting out of the Common Core (great article in today's latimes)]]>Tue, 08 Apr 2014 19:42:29 GMThttps://www.prepforart.com/pfa-news/why-my-family-is-opting-out-of-the-common-core-great-article-in-todays-latimes

Sixteen consecutive years of the state's standardized testing are now under my belt, all of them spent covering the accountability program as a journalist, as well as having one or more of my three children filling in bubbles in public school for the annual assessments. And on the 17th year, the last spring that I have a student scheduled for testing, it's time for a rest.

My 16-year-old daughter is in standardized-test burnout mode, and to a lesser extent, so am I. Juniors are the only ones taking the test in high school this year in California; they start this week at her school. Eleventh grade also happens to be a big year for all kinds of tests. The PSAT. The SAT. The SAT 2 subject tests: three of them. There was a brief winter flirtation with the ACT. And next month, four Advanced Placement tests.
more

]]><![CDATA[Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD)]]>Mon, 03 Mar 2014 20:29:52 GMThttps://www.prepforart.com/pfa-news/milwaukee-institute-of-art-design-miad

Have you ever considered studying in the Midwest? This winter I had the chance to visit the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD). The school is top notch both for design and vis art, the city is inviting and friendly, with lots of quirky gems, such as the oldest bowling ally in the Midwest, Polish Falcons. MIAD has a substantial summer program - check it out!

meeting with the admissions team

oldest or second oldest bowling ally in Milwaukee or the midwest.

]]><![CDATA[The Art of the College Recommendation Letter (ANDREW SIMMONS for The Atlantic)]]>Wed, 26 Feb 2014 21:07:47 GMThttps://www.prepforart.com/pfa-news/the-art-of-the-college-recommendation-letter-andrew-simmons-for-the-atlantic

How teachers can move beyond statements like, “She is a consistently respectful student.”

In late September, seniors case my classroom in the early morning and charge in before I’ve turned on my laptop. They corner me at the copy machine and at the entrance to the faculty lounge. They each want the same thing: a letter of recommendation. And when I say yes, the student presses a crumpled brag sheet in my hands and runs in the opposite direction. Most teachers who have seniors as students are lucky if fewer than 20 ask, and generous if they agree to do 15. Writing a meaningful letter of recommendation takes time, a luxury that teachers don’t have. Still, it is difficult to say no to a worthy student, especially one who has made a public request with pleading puppy eyes.

I usually end up writing 12 to 15 recommendations per “season.” Some teachers are more prolific recommendation letter mills, churning out dozens every fall. Yet, judging from the specimens I have seen sliding from the office printer, their often-simple formula falls short...
more

]]><![CDATA[Watch Out - Common App tech glitches on the menu! Best to contact each school's admin office to confirm their flexibility on deadline.]]>Fri, 18 Oct 2013 18:29:17 GMThttps://www.prepforart.com/pfa-news/watch-out-common-app-tech-glitches-on-the-menu-best-to-contact-each-schools-admin-office-to-confirm-their-flexibility-on-deadlineProblems with the new version of the online Common Application — which is accepted for college admissions by more than 500 colleges and universities — has prompted some schools to push back early decision deadlines, and others are waiting to see when the problems are resolved before deciding whether to do the same thing.

Panicked students and high school admissions counselors as well as college admissions offices have been complaining for weeks that many students have had problems getting onto the Common App site, including staying on the site, entering information, requesting teacher recommendations and making payments.

View full article from Washington Post]]><![CDATA[Performing and Visual Arts College Fair @ UCLA]]>Wed, 16 Oct 2013 22:44:18 GMThttps://www.prepforart.com/pfa-news/performing-and-visual-arts-college-fair-uclaThe Los Angeles Performing and Visual Arts College Fair will be held next Saturday, October 26 at UCLA's Ackerman Union Ballroom. It's a great opportunity to get to meet representatives from different schools around the country. The fair is held annually by the National Association of College Admissions Counseling.
Here is the link to the list of participating schools.

Fair Hours:
Saturday, October 26, 2013
1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location:
University of California - Los Angeles
Ackerman Union, Grand Ballroom
308 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310/206-0832

There will also be a workshop before the fair:
"College Choices in the Visual and Performing Arts"
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m
In the meeting room adjacent to Ackerman Union
]]><![CDATA[seen recently on Huf Post...]]>Mon, 14 Oct 2013 22:59:14 GMThttps://www.prepforart.com/pfa-news/in-the-arts-you-cant-slack-offeverything-has-a-deadline-and-every-skill-needs-to-stay-sharp-youre-a-creative-athlete

“In the arts, you can't slack off...Everything has a deadline, and every skill needs to stay sharp. You're a creative athlete...."

link to article
Art & Music Schools: Should You Go To One?

By Nicole Knoebel

Has art class always been the best part of your day? Have you always been the standout of your high school concerts and plays? Then you might want to consider foregoing the typical college route and go to an art or music school. Going to an art or music institute is the perfect way to turn what you may now only consider to be a hobby into an actual career (it’s not just for Hilary Duff in "Raise Your Voice"!). Intrigued? You should be! Read on, because HC has the inside scoop from collegiettes who made the decision to pursue the arts full time at their unique schools.

1. What is an art or music school?

You’ve probably heard of renowned institutions like The Juilliard School, Mannes College of Music, Rhode Island School of Design and Berklee College of Music. But what makes these different than any other college?

An art or music school has a specific focus on training its students for a career in the creative arts. Most of these schools don’t include general disciplines (gen eds). Students who attend these schools have a very specific artistic career goal in mind and are dedicated to those goals, just as you would be if you went to a culinary school to specialize in the culinary arts.

“The major difference between the two types of schools lies in the community,” says Lucy King, Associate Director of Admissions at RISD. “Because every student is an artist or designer, a level of collaboration and understanding exists between our students that might not be found at a traditional college.”

Collegiettes at art and music schools study the histories of their respective crafts. Music students focus heavily on researching and performing music, and art students can become experts in subjects such as painting, sculpting, photography, graphic design or illustration.

2. Who should go to a music or art school?

Lucy says when it comes to who should attend one of these schools, it’s all about dedication.

“Our students are intelligent critical thinkers who are passionate about art and design,” says Lucy. “The type of student who does well at RISD is the student who is dedicated to their studio work and curious about the world around them.”

Collegiettes also have input about who should go to one of these schools. “Someone who knows exactly what they want to do,” says Cassie, a freshman at Columbia College Chicago in the Theatre BFA Directing Program. “At most arts schools, you audition or interview for a specific program and basically have to stay in that program until you graduate. My school isn't like that; you are allowed to move around to different departments and majors, but you still have to be very dedicated to your craft in order to get the most out of it.”

Attending a music or art school is for students who have a precise goal and know exactly what their dream career is. A collegiette needs to have her future mapped out, because there isn’t much wiggle room in terms of classes. Programs are rigorous and specific, so it’s important to enter school knowing exactly what you want out of your education. Liz, a junior majoring in illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), agrees.

“The arts have to be a top priority in your life,” Liz says. “People who flounder in art schools usually only have half their heart in their work. Those who succeed are committed to the fact that although a career in the arts might not pay as well or have as many job opportunities as others, [art] is still an important facet of life everywhere and it's okay to want to be a part of that… You have to have tough skin when it comes to the arts.”

Unlike most schools, auditions and prior experience are a vital part of the admissions process. “Music schools usually require an additional audition, and for art school, a portfolio might be submitted as well as the normal application of essays and recommendation[s],” explains Tessa, a junior majoring in music therapy at the Berklee College of Music. “Because of this, experience in your craft is required before attending, unlike most majors, where a high school education will suffice.”

Most collegiettes at an art and design college or music conservatory say that having confidence in their artistic work and the drive to sell themselves to future employers are top characteristics in their school’s student body.

“In the arts, you can't slack off,” says Liz. “Everything has a deadline, and every skill needs to stay sharp. You're a creative athlete. And you need to know how to present yourself, your work and your skills.”

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